Mum’s mission for a more accessible city

Dignity Party Member Dr Betty-Jean Price (known as B-J to those closest) ran as our candidate in the seat of Adelaide at the recent State Election and is now putting up her hand again, to run for a position on the Adelaide City Council. She has steadfast aspirations for our City of Adelaide to become a world leader in access and participation for EVERYONE!

The focus of B-J’s campaign will ensure that the Adelaide City Council maintains its commitment to create supportive and flexible work opportunities for all regardless of age, religion, culture, gender, ability or sexual preference. Issues of employment, housing and universal design, along with the inclusion of EVERYONE in each plan and development are at the forefront of her campaign.

Former Dignity Party Candidate Betty-Jean Price will nominate for a seat on Adelaide City Council to improve access for people with disability

Advertiser: Renato Castello, The City August 7, 2018

Betty-Jean Price, who has nominated for the Adelaide City Council elections, with her sons Max, 13, and Quin enjoying an outing on the Victoria Square ice-rink. Picture: Brenton Edwards/AAP

CHAIRS blocking toilet doors, boxes blocking hallways, and poor ramp access — these are among obstacles that Dr Betty-Jean Price says prevent people with disabilities from enjoying the city.

It’s a desire to fix these problems, and make it more accessible for people such as her son Max, 14, who has severe cerebral palsy, that has driven her to nominate for Adelaide City Council in the November 9 elections.

The Medindie resident, 50, who owns property in the city, ran as Dignity Party’s candidate for the seat of Adelaide in the state election.

Dr Price said it was during that unsuccessful bid that she received emails, texts and pictures outlining how the disabled are denied services such as cafes, shops and restaurants that included high chairs blocking access to disabled toilets.

“And it’s not just about disability but also people with prams, using ‘gophers’,” she said.

She said in SA, 3500 people use wheelchairs and 18 per cent of the community is 65 and over.

“Not only is this a moral issue to deny people access, it just doesn’t make any business sense,” she said.

Dr Price said by providing better access in the city will create prosperity through inclusion and participation.

“I am not waging a war on businesses — rather I am inviting them on a journey of welcome and opportunity,” she said.

Dr Price said among her priorities would be to help businesses come up with ideas and solutions to be more inclusive of people with disabilities.

She cited a recent initiative of the Victoria Square ice rink prioritising children with disabilities as an example of making those with disabilities feel included.

Formal nominations for the city council elections open on September 4 and close on September 18.

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